<strong>Another level:</strong> The German city of Wuppertal is home to one of the world's most unusual metro lines -- the Schwebebahn suspension railway.
Another level: The German city of Wuppertal is home to one of the world's most unusual metro lines -- the Schwebebahn suspension railway.
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<strong>First of its kind: </strong>Active since 1901, the Schwebebahn is the oldest electric elevated railway with hanging cars in the world, and one of only a few of its kind.
First of its kind: Active since 1901, the Schwebebahn is the oldest electric elevated railway with hanging cars in the world, and one of only a few of its kind.
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<strong>Winning design: </strong>The railway design was chosen to overcome obstacles like waterways and roads in the sprawling city which stretches along the Wupper river.
Winning design: The railway design was chosen to overcome obstacles like waterways and roads in the sprawling city which stretches along the Wupper river.
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<strong>Stylish and sleek: </strong>Almost 20,000 tons of steel were used to create the elevated track which snakes through the city. Its 20 beautiful art nouveau stations complimented the glass and wood interiors of the line's original carriage.
Stylish and sleek: Almost 20,000 tons of steel were used to create the elevated track which snakes through the city. Its 20 beautiful art nouveau stations complimented the glass and wood interiors of the line's original carriage.
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<strong>Blue train: </strong>The railway's latest sleek blue "Generation 15" trains entered service in 2016.
Blue train: The railway's latest sleek blue "Generation 15" trains entered service in 2016.
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<strong>'Fairground attraction': </strong>"A ride in the Schwebebahn allows the passenger an extraordinary insight into the life of the local residents and really looks like a fairground attraction from days gone by," says architect Christian Busch.
'Fairground attraction': "A ride in the Schwebebahn allows the passenger an extraordinary insight into the life of the local residents and really looks like a fairground attraction from days gone by," says architect Christian Busch.
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<strong>Tuffi's trip: </strong>A sculpture in the Wupper river marks the spot where Tuffi the elephant jumped 10 meters from train carriage into the shallow waters below in 1950.
Tuffi's trip: A sculpture in the Wupper river marks the spot where Tuffi the elephant jumped 10 meters from train carriage into the shallow waters below in 1950.
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<strong>Playing the part: </strong>Wuppertal's railway has inspired artworks and made appearances in several movies.
Playing the part: Wuppertal's railway has inspired artworks and made appearances in several movies.
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<strong>Symbol of the city: </strong>"I don't think there's a more iconic symbol representing both Wuppertal and Barmen than the Schwebebahn. It has always been there for me and I'm proud that it is still running," says local resident Rosemarie Weingarten, who was born in Wuppertal's Barmen district in 1933.
Symbol of the city: "I don't think there's a more iconic symbol representing both Wuppertal and Barmen than the Schwebebahn. It has always been there for me and I'm proud that it is still running," says local resident Rosemarie Weingarten, who was born in Wuppertal's Barmen district in 1933.
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<strong>Shonan Monorail: </strong>Japan's Shonan Monorail is one of the few other examples of a suspended railway. It's considered the sister to Wuppertal's line.
Shonan Monorail: Japan's Shonan Monorail is one of the few other examples of a suspended railway. It's considered the sister to Wuppertal's line.
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